I've never owned one before, a bit of window shopping on this one, but I'd be interested in what's out there, looking second hand in order to get more bang for buck, I'd want:
- carbon f&f
- hydraulic discs
- tyre clearance for 32mm
- frame centre to top of seat tube no more than 48cm, so compact geometry preferred
- effective top tube around 530mm (I currently have 535ett on CX bike with a 90mm stem & EA70AX bars)
- I'd like 105, I don't think I'd get Ultegra at my price point but be interested in what's out there, no SRAM.
For, I guess, "fast" back lane riding, not racing, all day comfort, poorly maintained roads, steep climbs and descents, nothing too twitchy.
Any suggestions on what I should be searching eBay for?
Sounds just like my GF's Scott Addict Disc...
I've just ordered a Scott Addict Disc for pretty much the same reasons - at that awkward waiting stage now. Hopefully end of next week.
That looks pukka!!!!!!!! but a 530mm ett will have a 52cm seat tube c-t so is too big for my hobbit legs.
The answer to your question is usually a Defy. I went that route 5 years ago after not having a road bike for 20 years or more. It was a good choice, one of the best things I can say about it is that I don't really notice it, it's quick enough for me, very comfortable and the handling is very neutral.
Don't discount other frame materials. I went from carbon to alu and haven't regretted it at all. 105 is an excellent choice in terms of bang for your buck.
Dunno about the geometry but a trek domane ticks most of the other boxes
Got one of these frames set up with either conti gp5000 tubless 28mm with guards (it has mounts) or for much much more fun, Schwalbe GOne allround 35mm.
Ridley Kanzo Speed
It's a belter of a bike. Only seen one other in the UK so far.
In XS, seat tube c-t is 480mm and effective top tube is 525mm.
Ridley sell it with a Shimano GRX set up, but since it's got a front mech mount, I've transplanted my SRAM 2x11 wifi hydro groupset. Looks really sleek with internal cabling.
Recent Defy or Synapse are the obvious options for that kind of tyre clearance.
Are secondhand bike prices still a bit bonkers though?
I got an eBay bargain Boardman Endurance SLR at the start of lockdown.
Worth looking for those, as they are not particularly desirable but a nice quality frame with good geometry and while mine's supposed to be max 28mm it would clearly easily take 30mm or possibly wider tyres.
Trek Domane would be a good choice.
Is it a summer bike or all year round?
Don’t limit your options by just looking at disc, they are not essential, and if a road bike why do you want quite so much clearance ?
Sounds like a shopping list for a CX bike or gravel bike and you already have one of them 🤔
I never really pay attention to the finer details of geometry, if it fits and it feels right I'm happy with it. I couldn't tell you what all your numbers translate to in the real world but I've got a Look 566 for pretty much the same job as you want and it's great. Slightly long in the tooth now so no disc brakes but some of their newer bikes may tick the right boxes, 765 Optimum maybe?
Don’t limit your options by just looking at disc, they are not essential, and if a road bike why do you want quite so much clearance ?
Conversely. Buy disk go for big clearance join this century.
Leave the bone shaking 23c may stop eventually in the wet racers of yesteryear behind.
Big tires are comfy and fast , disks let you run nice carbon wheels without the crap braking associated. Nothing scares me more than a group ride where one or the group has rim brakes and carbon rims.....
Why so set on the 530ett . Your allowed to run longer stems on a road bike to make em fit. One of my road bikes has a 130mm stem on., My new propel came stock with a 120mm
If you have a 90mm stem on your CX bike to make it fit you have scope to run a 20/30mm shorter top.tube than you do on the cx bike
Leave the bone shaking 23c may stop eventually in the wet racers of yesteryear behind.
I have 28c tubeless tyres on my caliper braked bike, the same as my disc brakes bike. I agree that discs are a real bonus in the wet but they're not essential. They do add complexity, weight and cost.
I've been shopping around for similar. The best deals are the Ribble or the Boardman one I think.
Conversely. Buy disk go for big clearance join this century.
OP already has a CX bike that could be used as a compromise road bike.
Join this century and get a comfortable fast road bike with 25/28mm tyres and rim brakes. Even carbon rim versions do actually work very well.
Depends on if you are eager to buy right now, or wait until 2021 models are released, many stores are descemated after the lockdown bike buying frenzy.
Trek Domane would be a good choice
+1
I borrowed a demo bike for the day to test it out, planned route was 30 miles. I ended up doing 102 it was so comfy. It will get sporty too though & the latest version will take upto 38mm tyres so plenty of room for full guards in the wetter months
He doesn't want a compromise road bike. He wants a road bike....
Rim brakes + carbon rims even with the right pads are still shite and even more shite compared to disks especially when the weather's bad.
When terrain gets steep downwards they only get better.
No melty rims either.
The swings gone the other way now ....when I first got my disk bike a chap in the group rode into the back of me as he couldn't stop .....his brakes/rim.combo made a lot of noise but not a lot of stopping...... And that was in the dry. In most club group rides you'll be a minority shortly on rim brakes...... Rare to see rim brakes on our club runs bar pinerellos and colnagos classic Sunday best and even the old schoolers are being tempted off them.
On the disks v rim brakes every rider in my club whose bought a disc braked cx or gravel bike in the last couple of years has said their next road bike will have discs. Nothing wrong with rim brakes but for 99% of riders the benefits of disks outweigh the disadvantages.
when I first got my disk bike a chap in the group rode into the back of me as he couldn’t stop
Well dont bloody stop then!!! Or shout if you have too. Or pick the dick in the group and stay behind him, thats what I tend to do, giving them a safe distance. Every group has one!!
In the dry rim brakes are fine if you are awake. Mind you I did a properly wet ride on rim brakes today and it wasnt too pleasant, roads were bloody slippy too, locked up a few times when I wasnt expecting too and was wheel spinning up one hill.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-attain-gtc-sl-road-bike-2020/rp-prod192431 should fit 32mm GP5000s just, they only have 50cm frame left near your size, so going on geo table https://www.cube.eu/en/2020/bikes/road/road/attain/cube-attain-gtc-sl-carbonnwhite-2020/
You would need to fit a longer stem.
A 53cm Attain variant looks like it would be better for your requirements, albeit the seat tube is 490mm centre to top.
I had a similar requirement set recently and ended up with a Domane. It’s outstanding. Comfy and fast.
In your boat I’d also be considering a Giant Defy, Scott Addict, Spesh Roubaix, Canyon Endurace etc.
32mm tubeless road tyres make the whole road thing much more fun on UK back roads, not as much worrying about potholes and bad surfaces etc and just as fast as skinny tyres.
Any reason for carbon? I was looking at getting a new bike and carbon and discs were a want.
I’ve got a 2015 Domane aluminium with Tiagra. It’s about the same weight as the new carbon Domane with Ultegra.
Mine has rim brakes and that has discs, though looking at the range discs add about 0.5kg. The new one also costs over £3k. I could drop more than .5kg by spending a fraction on new wheels and going to 105 groupset.
Not ridden anything else but a Defy but I would say it's definitely work a look. I did a demo ride and then thought that was about right - again got it about five years back and first time on a drop bar bike since the late eighties. Fancy a change now, mainly to get wider tyres - have thought about another Defy but also most of what's covered above as well.
I could drop more than .5kg by spending a fraction on new wheels and going to 105 groupset.
Disk wheels ? 😉
Well dont bloody stop then!!! Or shout if you have too.
What makes you think I didn't. - after the guy Infront shouted and stopped using his disks.....I shouted and stopped. Guy behind loadsa noise and then bang as he hit me.
Thinking time a fortnight stopping time longer than the guy with disks...... But the alternative was to be splatted by a car so yknow. I stopped him ending up under it
If its intended as a cheaper route to having a summer road bike only, and you're really after the best bang for your buck I would echo some of the above points, be flexible on frame material, brake type and possibly even the 32mm tyres...
That is assuming you're looking at 2nd hand bikes, and only because you have to consider what's being put up for sale, the latest wishlist machines in CF, with discs and bigger tyre clearance are going to be scarce and relatively pricey on the 2nd hand market.
However lots of the recently purchased disc/big clearance road machines will probably be displacing some perfectly good rim braked bikes bought within the last 3-8ish years, many with adequate clearance for at least 25mm tyres lots 28mm. If it's got good parts and it's substantially cheaper than a new ego-chariot then that's good enough surely?
If the roadie bug bites, then maybe you can flip it in a year or two for something more current...
Ive just put my Ribble Evo Pro Carbon up for sale on the classifieds. Ticks all boxes apart from disc brakes.
You'd think disks and wide clearances were a new thing.
I was late to the party with mine and it's still 18 months old.
Plenty of modern bikes for sale on the for sale pages.
You’d think disks and wide clearances were a new thing.
I was late to the party with mine and it’s still 18 months old.
Plenty of modern bikes for sale on the for sale pages.
I'm not doubting the benefits or availability of discs/32mm tyres, just trying to offer a little balance.
About the same time you were buying your bike I'd just come back from a week in Tenerife riding a synapse disc with Ultegra, and yep I was already perusing the Web looking at the cost of one at the airport and trying to get the man maths to work. In the end I got home went for a ride on my 'old' rim braked, 25mm tyred Road bike and concluded that I don't actually need all the wonders of that synapse on a daily basis, I'd like one, but I'd rather use that ~£3k to overpay the mortgage and/or go on holiday and I'd still have a more than adequate bike.
Rim braked bikes aren't the death traps people seem keen to paint them, clean the rims, change the pads now and then (same as with discs) and they work.
The OP asked where he'd find the best VFM and I reckon that would be in a bike that's not on the bleeding edge of what specialized/giat/Trek are marketing today, but in something just a little bit older without all the features that currently bump purchase prices...
He's free to disregard my posts, those of us that propose rim brakes as an option don't need shouting down every time...
I’ve never ridden a disc braked road bike but my memories of descending Alpe d’Huez overtaking multiple vehicles between the hairpins easy hitting 45mph+ and having to brake for the switchbacks (and dodge the cagers cutting the apex!) my back and neck would’ve appreciated the vastly improved sensitivity that discs give. And that was bone dry 30 degrees C heat, stick a down pour into the mix and well if I had a choice I’d choose disc all day everyday.
OP rightly states the state of the roads, my roadbike will only fit 23mm (25mm can end up with gravel caught between the seat tube). On the previous bike I ran through some chip and strip and got a chip wedged and the back wheel locked up. It was only when I got home that I found I’d ripped the tyre casing and the inner tube was exposed, glad I didn’t know that when I was coming back down the hill spun out!
I’m sure I could buy a mountain bike that takes vee brakes and only allows 2.0” tyres, but you know...
The OP seems to have properly thought through what they want from their new bike. Having a CX bike already (presumably with discs) I’m pretty sure going to a rim braked road bike they’d end up wishing they’d gone for disc as originally intended. In the same way I bitterly regretted buying cable operated discs on a CX bike (not really any great improvement on rims in the dry...).
And yeah, sorry OP, sounds like you’ve described the Defy (apart from I don’t know the geo these days...) 😁
Thanks all for the comments, I like the Defy Advanced, maybe a Cannondale Synapse (both have press fit BB though 😭).
As I said at the start, it's a window shopping exercise right now, I need to figure the cost out.
If I do down this route it will have to have all mod cons as that's what I feel my riding will need.
I already have cable discs on my CX bike and I definitely want hydraulic next, routes I'd ride will demand 32/35c.
I can pick up a small 105/Ultegra Planet X Pro Carbon (rim brakes & max 25c) in small from eBay for £500, I've considered this option for a long time, but ultimately it'd be a waste of funds as it's not what I want.
Many thanks all, I'll post up again if I do take the plunge.
👍
What makes you think I didn’t. – after the guy Infront shouted and stopped using his disks…..I shouted and stopped. Guy behind loadsa noise and then bang as he hit me.
So it was a concertina effect? Your anecdote doesnt really prove you need disks in the dry does it! Someone ran into the back of me once, they were using discs and i wasnt, it proves nothing.
I think Trail-Rat needs discs as he goes everywhere at 80km/h in the pouring rain with carbon rims 😉
For those of us content not to treat every ride like Death Race 3000 I think it's less of a critical decision.
Tyre clearance is the only thing that could convince me, but happily there's some more progressive manufacturers out there still offering 28mm with rim brakes on fast frames, Factor, Cervelo, Basso etc.
Focus Paralane worth a look although won't be many around second hand compared to Defys and Synapses.
routes I’d ride will demand 32/35c.
Really, why? I have a CX disc bike with 35mm tyres and a ‘nice’ road bike with carbon wheels and rim brakes.
The CX bike gets used in the winter and has mud guards fitted. Yes it can ride over potholes with less consideration, and slightly more comfort, but it is slower, less nippy etc etc.
The carbon wheeled road bike stops just as quick, 95% of the time is just as comfortable, but is faster, more responsive, just more racey.
I ride Welsh borders back roads which often are more of a trail than a road in places. Which ever bike you are on you are down to crawling speeds, but I know which type of bike I would prefer most of the time. I’ve never felt the need to go above 25mm tyres
OP your CX bike can be made to what you think this modern marketing marvels are
Vote for a Defy here. I have an earlier carbon disc model and it's really good. TRP mechanical discs are underwhelming though. The older models are tighter on clearance than you might expect. Schwalbe Durano 28 and not sure I'd be able to go bigger.
If it’s a comfy road bike with discs and carbon you want, I’ll have a vote on the Specialized Roubaix.
I had a Cube Attain GTC which was nice, but with some shoulder problems (not bike related) I wanted something comfier and the Roubaix is on a different level.
The wierd thing is that with the larger tyres (28 v 25) and the head shock, you’re convinced it must be slower, but it’s quicker!
I’d certainly recommend trying one, and you can pick up older models (mine’s a 2018) at a good discount
I have a Diverge with the Future shock and can confirm its excellent, on or off road. Better value bikes are available elsewhere though. As for the tyre width debate, I find 28mm is my sweet spot for pure road riding. 30-32mm are nice for trundle commutes and a bit of gentle offroad, but feel slower on the road.
I’m curious as to where the rim brake aficionados sit re. Di2 (or in fact combined brake/gear shifters 😉) considering that they also add weight, complexity and aren’t strictly necessary... ditto 11 speed...
Also, how many of you are heavily invested with (multiple) funcy non-disc compatible wheel sets?
Changing standards are a complete pain...
For the average bod wanting a comfy bike for UK roads then the ability to run a minimum of 28c tyres with the ability to go 32c or maybe higher. The benefit of bigger tyres is you can run lower pressures and that will do more for comfort than a 'compliant frame' (biggest marketing hoax of all time) to give you a nicer ride on UK roads.
Discs vs rim brakes...well an argument that will rage forever I'm sure. but disk brakes are here to stay the benefits are tremendous especially when married to larger tyres. Unless you're bothered about saving a few grams of weight then I really see no issues with disk brakes. `if you want only 1 bike for all conditions especially if you're going to do some gravel/off road trails then disk brakes are a must. But if you find 'that perfect bike at the perfect price' and it has rim brakes then go for it.
So in reality what you probably want is a 'gravel' bike. Gives you disk brakes, huge tyre clearance, bosses all over the frame for bottle cages, mudguards and other things you can attach to your frame, still as light as a half decent road bike and gives you more options of trails to ride, so not stuck on roads.
Probably do better going brand new on C2W or interest free credit than trawling used market. The asking price for 2nd had kit is a joke. I guess plenty of people out there willing to pay almost brand new prices for used kit. However with such a lack of new bikes in bike shops at the moment, especially bikes priced anywhere near the C2W sceme price range, the price of used bikes will undoubtedly rocket. Personally I wouldn't pay more than 50% of the new price for a used bike.
I’m curious as to where the rim brake aficionados sit re. Di2
Never tried it but it looks good!
ditto 11 speed…
More gears are good, but whilst my alu gravel bike is 11speed with discs my road bike is 9 speed, carbon and rim brakes, I still like riding it, although I do use the gravel bike as a winter road bike.
Discs on a pure road bike are nice but not a deal breaker for me. I am a bit bemused by the op never having had a road bike but having so many must haves. Carbon or Alu, not any real difference tbh, disc or non disc is less of an issue than say a good fit.
I'd have disks before carbon frame and far before di2.
It's nice.... But offers me nothing cables don't. Unlike disks which offer consistent braking.
Did I mention disks yet ?
Try sticking a 28c gp4000 in an r8000 ...... It will fit - I wouldn't fancy riding it. Seen more clearance on a yeti dh9 rocker bearing seat.
Unless you’re bothered about saving a few grams of weight then I really see no issues with disk brakes
I'm exceedingly guilty of derailling any disc-ish thread with my stock arguments against discs, so I'll just jeep it brief, there are numerous issues with discs that perhaps don't matter to everyone but exist nonetheless.
Cost, lack of adjustability, noise in wet conditions. Lets just say for a lot less money (and yes, weight) I have a fleet of rim braked bikes that I will happily and safely ride in all conditions, discs add literally nothing to my riding experience except squeeling and occasional unpredictable rubbing.
Anyway, I need to step away, I had promised myself I'd stop arguing about disc brakes on STW 😀
Anyway, I need to step away, I had promised myself I’d stop arguing about disc brakes on STW 😀
Well I wont bite then as I have stock answers to all of your stock arguments....
Old enough to remember the same arguements about v brakes for xc racers...... Weight reliability etc etc.
Even at dry races these days (even lower level privateers/amateurs)..... Don't see many v brakes these days if at all.
I have v brakes on my fixie because it's an ancient singlecross. They work. But they remind me why we don't use them on the xc bike anymore every time I ride it.
If you already have a CX/Gravel bike, I'd get a road bike with racey geometry to give you a different riding experience. My 'racey' bike is no less comfortable over long distances than my 'endurance' style bike, and is far more fun to ride.
I'd be looking at TCR's and Supersix's rather than Defys and Synapses.
I'd say go aero, there were some cracking deals out there on Propel Disc 2s (~£1400 IIRC) before lockdown, but you won't fit anything like 32mm tyres on a Propel!
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/YBCL1917173/planet-x-pro-carbon-evo-disc-sram-force-22-road-bike-small-gloss-black-white might fit for £1700.
Rim brake aficionado here. I won’t be swapping. I do like my alloy rims though. Even with carbon fairings on my fastest wheels.
Even at dry races these days (even lower level privateers/amateurs)….. Don’t see many v brakes these days if at all.
The difference on the road is that until recently disc brakes were banned in races, so there is not a lot of swapping. In a bunch race there is no real advantage of a disk brake under normal race conditions. Carbon rims? That’s different in the wet. But I’ve never been scared racing my 60mm Giant pslr carbon. Even in the wet.
If you must have disc, giant defy to budget is always my first/beginner choice. The Roubaix has a sky high head tube by comparison. If you are between sizes, size down.
There’s actually very little difference in handling between a defy and a propel. The aero of the propel is faster. And I have tested both in circuit and road races. I’ve also ridden both over 100 miles at a time.
For purity and a one race bike to do it all, i’d probably go TCR though. Giant offer amazing value for money. It would be quite a difference to a gravel bike.
I’m curious as to where the rim brake aficionados sit re. Di2 (or in fact combined brake/gear shifters 😉) considering that they also add weight, complexity and aren’t strictly necessary… ditto 11 speed…
TBH I'd rather upgrade my rim braked bike to di2 than buy a whole new disc braked one ;)...
I wasn't shouting at the moon, I did acknowledge that discs (hydraulic) are the better option if you can afford them, 2nd hand buyers will be looking 2nd hand mainly for budgetary reasons.
But the OP has stated discs and big tyres are mandatory, that should really be an end to derailing this thread with more disc debate.
I like the synapse (cos I rode one), its been about long enough to be available 2nd hand, there are some nice touches like hidden guard bosses, I know 2018(+) models should clear 32s. But I would be thinking about a pressfit adapter if I got one.
But then I have to say by the time I'm ready to join the modern age of road bikes with rotors I could be more tempted by a Rourk 853 disc which probably shakes out similarly price wise, depending on what you bolt to it...